The National Interagency Fire Center reported yesterday that unusually high temperatures and dry conditions, combined with light winter snowpack, are heightening the risk for extreme wildfire risk in Western Colorado through May, particularly as temperatures increase through June. Traditionally, mid-May marks the start of wildfire season on the Western slope, but this year there was an earlier start. For iSeeChange, KVNF’s Julia Kumari Drapkin reports on what’s changing when it comes to fighting wildfires.

Produced by Julia Kumari Drapkin, the iSeeChange project at KVNF is part of Localore, a nationwide production of AIR designed to accelerate transformation and extend public service media to all Americans. KVNF was selected as one of only 10 Localore stations across the country—learn more at airmediaworks.org. Localore is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Wyncote Foundation, the John T. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Interactive storytelling partner Zeega co-produced TheAlmanac.org with iSeeChange.

iSeeChange is produced by Julia Kumari Drapkin and brought to you by KVNF and Localore, a national public media initiative produced by AIR: the Association for Independents in Radio and with financial support by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Wincote Foundation, the John D and Katharine T. McAurthur Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts.